How long has Lekas been around? He scouted and signed Chris Carpenter in the 1993 draft -- first from the state of New Hampshire since Carlton Fisk.

Since last September no less than 10 Blue Jays scouts have been in checking on Samardzija and other Cubs moving -- or soon-to-be-moved -- parts like right-hander Jason Hammel, who beat Washington Friday, ex-Jay Carlos Villanueva, and second baseman Darwin Barney.

The list of Toronto evaluators Cub-observing is a who's who of the Jays brain trust.